raced wide, mid-division, ridden halfway, kept on same pace final furlong
slowly into stride, soon raced and mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression
held up in touch, effort entering final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead well inside final furlong
pulled hard, led 1f, chased leader after, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
taken to post early, behind, ridden halfway, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
led after 1f, ridden 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride, always in rear
in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on never nearer
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on final furlong, not paced to challenge
BABEL is our pick with Marvin Gardens and Head To Head put up as alternatives. Although well beaten in the end, Babel exhibited plenty of early speed at Lingfield and from a yard that are particularly shrewd, she could make a mockery of the handicapper's decision to drop her down the handicap so swiftly. Marvin Gardens won in first time blinkers but has struggled since. He is capable although might not get an uncontested lead. Head To Head has been racing exclusively at Southwell of late. The market is watched on this switch of surfaces. Sherjawy is better than the majority of these if everything goes right but he has struggled to get his head infront off similar marks. Hollow Jo rarely runs two runs alike these days though is respected on account of course and distance form. Wynberg is well treated on old form though Stef Liddiard would have to have sweetened him up after a recalcitrant display on his latest visit to the races. Babel looks best in today.
Wynberg (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Slow into stride, behind, some late progress, never a factor, 7th of 11, 9l behind Musical Script (8-13) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Babel 16-1 (8-12) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 8l behind Whiskey Creek (8-13) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Hollow Jo 17-2 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, no headway, weakened quickly over 1f out, 9th of 12, 15l behind Guildenstern (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Sir Loin 6-1 (8-6) With leader, effort well over 1f out, weakened quickly, 11th of 12, 10l behind Thoughtsofstardom (8-6) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol.
Marvin Gardens 8-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden 2f out, held when not much room inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Davids Mark (8-10) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Head To Head (IRE) 4-1fav (9-2) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Mocha Java (8-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Jan.
Sherjawy (IRE) 9-4fav (9-6) In touch, ridden and every chance 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Flamestone (9-0) at Kempton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Meikle Barfil 20-1 (8-9) Not much room start, behind, no danger after, 8th of 11, 5l behind Ishibee (8-11) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct '07.
Lady Bahia (IRE) 12-1 (8-0) Always in rear, 8th of 10, 9l behind Spic 'n Span (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
